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HomeAuthorsGeoff Kettel

Articles by Geoff Kettel

About Geoff Kettel
Geoff Kettel is a community connector and advocate for “making places better”. He is currently Co-President of the Leaside Residents Association, Co-Chair of the Federation of North Toronto Residents‘ Associations (FoNTRA), member of the Toronto Preservation Board and Past Chair of the North York Community Preservation Panel. He writes a monthly column on heritage and planning in Leaside Life.
153 Rumsey Rd.
Development

Changes for Elgie house, Rumsey Rd.

March 1, 2013 Geoff Kettel

Updates on 262 Bessborough Dr., Parkhurst Blvd. and a concern about the sudden appearance of a “tower home“ at 153 Rumsey Rd. The Elgie family home, 262 Bessborough, one of three remaining Leaside settler homes, …more

Leaside Plan 1913
History

We beat Don Mills as planned community

February 1, 2013 Geoff Kettel

What is the essence of Leaside character? Many would say it is the curved leafy streets (regular readers know that this column is mostly about the place, not the people!). In November’s column we wrote …more

Elgie Property
Development

Sesame Street link to Elgie house sale

January 1, 2013 Geoff Kettel

The Elgie family home, 262 Bessborough Dr., one of the settler “farmsteads,” is now for sale. Believed to have been built in the 1840s (not 1880s as I had said in the May Leaside Life …more

Parkhurst Boulevard
Development

Can we preserve a whole street?

December 1, 2012 Geoff Kettel

“We’re at Ground Zero” was this column’s headline in June. Ground zero referred to 68 Parkhurst Blvd.’s role in the effort to protect Leaside’s residential-built heritage. This house is still threatened with demolition and replacement. …more

45 Sharron
Development

One of few fights to stop a teardown

November 1, 2012 Geoff Kettel

We often hear nowadays, “Oh it’s a teardown.” How did this happen? Is there anything we can do about it? Every two weeks the city’s Committee of Adjustment reviews applications for so called minor variances, …more

Leaside Municipal Building, McRae Drive, s.w. cor. Randolph Road; looking s. Salmon, James Victor (Canadian, 1911-1958)
Development

Our old town hall is for sale – again

September 29, 2012 Geoff Kettel

The former municipal building for the Town of Leaside, at 235 McRae Dr., is for sale for $4.43 million. A review of the building’s history and its predecessors reveals an interesting story of municipal governance, …more

Old Leaside house
History

Few homes of our early settlers are left

September 1, 2012 Geoff Kettel

Saving old Leaside The news earlier this summer that Nick Kypreos’ house at 33 Heather Rd. was up for sale raised some excitement in Leaside. Can a house here really be worth almost $3.5 million? …more

Posts pagination

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Digital Edition

Barbara Klein, front, and the business students responsible for creating Leaside Eats. Photo Anna Kravtchenco.
In the Spotlight

Leaside Eats!

by Susan Scandiffio in Community

Barbara Klein is one of those teachers.  A teacher who inspires her students. A teacher who brings out the absolute best in them and provides them with unique opportunities while meaningfully tying in course content. ...more
Recent Posts
  • Announcing the Canada Proud Leaside Proud Flag Contest!
  • The Ghost Party – Young Poet’s Corner May 2025
  • Taking action at City Hall to protect Torontonians
  • A Walking Tour of Bennington Heights
  • Honouring Bill Pashby, helping make Leaside strong and Canada proud
  • Patriotism from the past
  • Leasiders unleashed their patriotism during Canada’s Centennial
  • And speaking of elections….
  • O Canada! O Leaside!
  • “Pie queen” perfects the very Canadian butter tart
  • A warm welcome from our new TDSB Trustee
  • Canada counts! And Leaside is still a neighbourhood of neighbours!
  • This Canadian champion was “made” in Leaside
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